Six suspects have been arrested by the Anambra State Police Command for allegedly hiring sick persons to beg for alms from members of the public.

The arrested suspects are Doris Basil, 28, Peter Ezedike, 38; Susan Monday, 27; Ogechi Okoro, 27; Solomon Sunday, 29 and Kenneth Achi

In a press statement released on Thursday, the state police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed that the suspects were arrested in an uncompleted building at Isu Village in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area.

Ikenga added that the police also recovered six mobile phones and ₦82,400 in ₦50, ₦100 and ₦200 denominations.

According to him, four sick persons, who appeared to be suffering from brain tumours, breast cancer, and other terminal illnesses, were rescued from the scene and taken into custody.

The statement read, “A joint security team comprising police officers from Oba Divisional Police Headquarters and Anambra Vigilante operatives, on April 16, at 6:30 pm, raided an uncompleted building at Isu Village, Oba, and arrested six suspects who allegedly hired sick persons to beg for alms from members of the public.

“The suspects are Doris Basil (female), aged 28; Peter Ezedike (male), aged 38; Susan Monday (female), aged 27; Ogechi Okoro (female), aged 27; Solomon Sunday (male), aged 29; and Kenneth Achi (male), aged 29.

“The operatives also recovered six mobile phones and ₦82,400 in denominations of ₦50, ₦100, and ₦200, and took into safe custody four sick persons, who appeared to be suffering from brain tumours, breast cancer, and other terminal illnesses.

“The operatives provided first aid to the sick persons and sought higher medical intervention for their treatment and safe return to their various homes.”

He added that following the development, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, noted that Section 419 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act deals with obtaining property by false pretence, also known as “419 fraud”.

“The CP noted that it is a felony carrying a potential penalty of three years’ imprisonment, and expressed concern about the level of moral decay in individuals who exploit sick persons for personal gain.

“He further directed the immediate interrogation of the relatives of the sick persons to ascertain their culpability.

“All the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigations,” he added.